For All We Have and Are by Kipling

"For All We Have And Are"

By Rudyard Kipling

 

1914

 

For all we have and are, 

For all our children's fate, 

Stand up and take the war. 

The Hun is at the gate! 

Our world has passed away, 

In wantonness o'erthrown. 

There is nothing left to-day 

But steel and fire and stone! 

     Though all we knew depart, 

     The old Commandments stand:— 

     "In courage kept your heart, 

     In strength lift up your hand." 

 

Once more we hear the word 

That sickened earth of old:— 

"No law except the Sword 

Unsheathed and uncontrolled." 

Once more it knits mankind, 

Once more the nations go 

To meet and break and bind 

A crazed and driven foe. 

 

Comfort, content, delight, 

The ages' slow-bought gain, 

They shrivelled in a night. 

Only ourselves remain 

To face the naked days 

In silent fortitude, 

Through perils and dismays 

Renewed and re-renewed. 

     Though all we made depart, 

     The old Commandments stand:— 

     "In patience keep your heart, 

     In strength lift up your hand." 

 

No easy hope or lies 

Shall bring us to our goal, 

But iron sacrifice 

Of body, will, and soul. 

There is but one task for all— 

One life for each to give. 

What stands if Freedom fall? 

Who dies if England live?